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Can’t believe the panic and overreaction. We absolutely annihilated them for 65-70 mins. Someone has already said it but it was like a cup game with leagues between the teams. Their fans cheered a weak shot on target in about the 60th minute because it was the first time they got near our goal. Obviously it’s frustrating, and it’s 2 important points thrown away, but anyone that’s watched that and doesn’t just think that once this all clicks and with 1 or 2 more additions we’ll be right up there is watching something different to me. You’d do well to convince me there’s a better midfield 2 in the league, and it’s the first time they played together. The wingers scared the shit out of them, they didn’t just double up, they had 3 on them. To be fair to them, their full backs and the centre mids covering did a good job - most league 1 full backs are going to be ripped a new one. Burstow impresses me more and more. He’s got a lot to his game and now has 2 in 4 - it’s no guarantee that Dalby is our first choice striker for me. The game did change around the subs, but for me, if Taylor was fit then we don’t lose the game. Conway played well but was on his arse from about 70 mins. They put on that no.4 who doubled up with their right winger and Conway didn’t know what to do / didn’t have the legs to do anything about it. If we had another option for left back then I don’t think we’d have been in as much trouble. Massively annoying, but all the signs are there that this is going to be a hell of a team in this league when it all slots together, I’m convinced of it.

We can't not make subs. The players he took off were flagging. Unless he changes the whole shape of the team at 1-0 up and goes either defensive or all out attack it will always be like for like. Nobody moaned as he was doing them. Cissoko was blowing and Gayles fresh legs should've caused more problems than it did. He made no impact and couldn't control the ball. Bairstow had run himself into the ground so the only option was to replace with Dalby or Shove McAtee up there. Dalby was sound enough apart from one rusty fumble of the ball after no football for 2 months. He had to play at some point. McAtee for Randall was an obvious choice. He was out of the game and McAtees harrying and chasing again should have done more than it did. Sheehan was bought on to take control of a midfield that was being overran. I'm not sure what else the manager could've done. Our biggest problem last night was decision making in forward positions. Cissokos header should've been back across goal. Dubs could've cut it back or squared it about 30 times but opted to dive in and shoot. All that needs better coaching. Once those forwards start to read their patterns of play it'll all come together.

As I've said 150 million times reform or social media have nothing to do with my views on HMOs being used to house migrants. That incident above has nothing to do me watching properties in Blackpools tourist centre being used as HMOs to house migrants. As I've said, there was a similar outcry when they were used to house sex offenders, ex cons and crack addicts. The business owners fought tooth and nail to get rid of them and re-instate particular areas as holiday zone only. We are now back to HMOs being set up to house migrants. This isn't conjecture, this isn't social media, this what I know and can see as actual fact. I know the landlords. I know the area. I see the occupants that live there. I see the serco officials outside. I see the home office security van and staff at the properties. I'm not getting riled up by anything I'm telling you and anyone else what is happening. What does rile me is when you tell me point blank that it isn't happening and question what I can see with my own eyes. This is just one area. It's happening in plenty others. Like I say, If you think public outrage is big for the hotels, wait they are being put in rentals across the country, because that's next step. You might OK with it, which is fair enough, but you can't blame people that aren't.

We win headers in both boxes and on the halfway line. A strong central midfield that has a bit of everything (apart from a goalscoring record unfortunately) 3 fast tricky wingers The best left back we've had for years A keeper who's kicking is a class above anything we've seen before (can't judge his shot stopping yet) Fast attacks instead of slow Round pegs in round holes generally (we need a right back yes) Strength in depth in most positions Good entertainment - 3 very enjoyable home games so far But - we've lost the relatively guaranteed goals of either Collins or Charles when on form - definitely needs addressing.

Lot more positivity on here than I expected. Maybe the M62 did not help but I was really frustrated last night As much as we dominated we had only 4 shots on target in the game. Yes their goal was a lucky deflection, so was ours. Simons and Erhahnon looked very good as a two and for 70 minutes bossed the game, but they are very similar and neither look like busting forward to support the attack with runs into the area , which is not a criticism just an observation. We have a front 4 to create goals. The 9 and 10 are as I said difficult to play in this system need to work hard out of posssesion as well as creating chances. Randall was ok yesterday but not that effective. SS has to be held accountable for his in game management it was clear after about 70 minutes they were getting into the game and it needed changing. He changed a winger for a winger on 71 and a centre forward for a centre forward on 76. On 83 he did 2 more like for like subs. It was crying out for an extra body in midfield. Lose a winger and make a three in midfield might have worked ? It is a long way off disaster time but we have 5 points from 4 games, on performances with luck it could be 12. But w can not go through a season blaming bad luck. Last night imo points were dropped because the manager made poor subs at crucial times.

For the most part I enjoyed watching us last night. The team looked solid, they had intent, the wide men were in the game, the midfield 2 were an absolute cut above, work rate was there and they had a real determination to win the ball back ( I thought Randall had his best game for us where that was concerned) and get back on the front foot. 70 minutes of control and then collectively they all retreat and let a team who showed nothing to put them under pressure for 10 minutes and we could all see what was coming. i won’t go as far as saying “same old story” and whilst it does feel like that, this is a new bunch of players who haven’t let us down like that before. So it’s more about them learning the lesson. They need to put teams away or throwing points away like they will repeat itself and really damage the season. frustrated walking away after the game but not disheartened. Just back to the midfield 2 though, so refreshing to see lads who are big, mobile, are willing to put their foot in but can also run the game and are looking to be progressive. Both were very good and have the makings of a great partnership. Simon’s in particular is what we have needed for years

Randall worked really hard last night, his press and determination to win the ball back was the best I’d seen from him. Yep there’s wider issues with him and that No 10 role but to give him some credit it appears he is trying to work harder and has bought in to what Schuey wants

one things becoming more and more clear with each passing week we have folk on here who mustve had some really bad luck to never manage in the prem fuck me

Not read any after match comments, guessing people are moaning, shoemaker needs a win, team selection etc etc. Well, for someone who didn't want the cobbler as the manager I have to say I'm excited for the rest of the season, ACB is class, Gale is going to become a favourite and cissoko is also going to be a fun watch. Yes there'll be bad times but I see signs of us being genuine title (not just promotion) contenders. Dalby's gunna be a good un, showed in a brief appearance he'll be a great target man, be nice to get an experienced Central Defender in. I'm looking forwards to the rest of the season

Tell you what, I'm bloody well impressed with this lad. Didn't realise he's only 22 years old. He's the midfielder we've been missing for years. I don't know what we paid for him, but I reckon he's an absolute steal.

"...you're in the small minority of muppets..." - and this is why I shan't waste any more breath having a 'discussion' with you. Amazes me how people can't engage in grown up discussion without throwing out insults.

ACD got played through about 2 minutes after we’d scored, he decided to take the shot on with his right foot and pulled it wide. If he’d have played a simple square ball to Burstow then it would have been 2-0 and game over. However, that directness and selfishness is also part of what makes him so dangerous and if he could find the balance of a better final ball vs shooting then he wouldn’t be playing in L1. Our wingers will be the reason why win on far more occasions than why we don’t. On the subs point. I agree that the players that came off had to. Personally I’d have brought Morley on for Randall and given one of the 3 CMs the specific job of stopping their No.4, who changed the game for them. He was the issue down that right hand side 5/10 mins before our subs and poor Conway currently has no sufficient back up when his legs are gone. He was a sitting duck and I’m not sure why one of the subs wasn’t specifically aimed at helping him out - they really didn’t have much else and Forino/GJ had mopped anything up that was more direct all game. Robust and dynamic whites are currently in gelling mode - you don’t want to be playing us from October.

If we can become more ruthless and clinical in front of goal, we're going to smash someone soon 4 or 5 nil. Lots to be positive about last night , we just need to find our cutting edge, i'm confident it will come.

Brief reflections on last night. So much to be positive about. Absolutely dominated for 80 mins. Randall had his best game yet, ditto Forino. Conway is an absolute gem (though is far more culpable for the goal than anyone else). Dalby showed what he's about when he came on and clear to see he is going to be good at holding play up for us. Erhahon and Simons excellent in midfield. We need more of a cutting edge for sure, as we should really have 10 or even 12 points now, but it'll come. Said top 6 for us since the start. Sticking with it but we can make top 2 if we find that cutting edge. This league is so open. Assuming now that Schon and CMG will join Dan on the way out before deadline day. And also that Charlie Warren will be found a loan in League Two or, more likely, National League, for a season.

Not despondent or dispirited. Just frustrated. If we keep playing like that, all will be reet in the long run.

Spot on x 2 Said in an earlier post. At this stage of the season its performances over points. We’ve played well in all 4 games. We’ll be just fine and will be right up there this season. Patience needed. 42 games left Top post @Eddie

Nobody would choose to buy a property anywhere near one of these HMO things. Fuck that.

I’m with you on this regarding our CBs. At worst, our goals conceded deserve nothing more than a bit of light criticism. And even then for us experts on social media to be handing it out is a bit rich. I think it could be as easy to pass some of the goals off as great play from the opposition (Stockports 2nd and McGoldricks) which is going to happen this season. Not every goal is preventable and deserves over analysis. I think some of the defending of our box has been fantastic. Johnston has surprised me. He’s played well when called upon. Forino was poor against Sheff Utd (probably exaggerated by playing with 10 men), but I thought he was great last night. And Toal has led the defence and the team well, dominant in both boxes. Taylor and Forrester to come into the mix too. I wouldn’t be surprised or disappointed if we don’t recruit here. I’ve made my feelings known on RB - I thought Tutu for 75 mins was good yesterday, another one who tired though. I definitely agree on another forward and I think there’ll be another one through the door before September.

I liked Charles but he moved on and we have as well. No return should happen and we know it never will.

This idea of a centre back with pace. We've conceded 4 in 4. Only 1 of those was from a forward getting away from our defenders and, even in that case, it was less about pace and more about Toal switching off. I genuinely can't recall a single instance in any League Game where our central defenders have been outstripped for pace. Correct me if i am wrong. As for Dalby, i thought he looked very promising. A lot of physicality, held it up a couple of times and brought wide players into play. He made a mistake with his lay off to McAtee but he'll be good for us when fit i think. We have a CF who has scored 2 in 4 as well. So you could argue we already have the player you want!

When they were in possession, we were watching championship players. It was like pressing a switch where we were no longer at a L1 match. Between them did they give up possession at all all night? Simons an absolute machine, that was as good a midfield performance as I've seen from a Bolton player for years, and I've seen some good one's from Tomo, Morley and Sheehan not forgetting Kieran Lee and Dapo but blimey he was everywhere and he was relentless. Erhahon and Simons for the price of Tomo is hilarious, presume Parky's never seen those 2 play? The only note of caution on Simons is that I wasn't watching the same player at Barnsley, he didn't impose himself at all and its hard to believe that was the same player.

99 times out of 100 we win that game last night, just a freakish set of circumstances led to their equaliser. The deflection and loop over our keepers head very rarely happens. We always needed that 2nd goal that never came.

better striker won't make any difference if youre right the wingers can't pick the pass

Aye Mcatee loses it, we win it back, dalby loses it, big mistake from conway, fluke of a finish And its all on mcatee Theres some proper cocks post on here in match and tonights efforts have been top drawer Including cissoko is playing shit...fucking hell, thats a belter and not just once, some other moonman joined in Same morons criticising the subs will be the first being experts over coaching methods when we get injuries Loved the solidity and forward, positive passing of the middle 2, the wingers so ecxiting, cbs on it, tutu perfectly good, conway, similar, except his major faux pas Lots to be pleased about Just caught SS comments and I think hes getting v close to public criticism of some players No need, imo Not after 4 games

He was really good again tonight, a really decent young player, scraps for it in the air, good touch on the floor, can hold it up, knows where the goals are. Takes up all the right positions, he needs to be fed more than he's being at the moment. Can't judge Dalby on that, other than he looked rusty and needs gradually increasing game time

Two points tossed against a side without a point and without any sort of threat, worse than Plymouth. The thing with the 21 shots only 4 on target is decision making. At least half of those shots were the wrong choice. Neither Burstow or Dalby will get into double figures if the wingers aren't drilled into looking up and feeding them the ball now and then. Cissoko did cross it once or twice, ACD was really frustrating, way too often he does great work then doesn't see the easy slide in or pull back. If The Postman was in this side we'd have scored 4 and buried them. For 15 minutes after the goal we played Harlem Globetrotters stuff but didn't put the game to bed. We were starting to get sloppy and invite them into it before the subs, which ended up being catastrophic, McAtee's little cameo in particular. Not ruthless enough to punish piss poor sides, not robust enough to sustain a way of playing for long enough in a game. The plus point, Erhahon and Simons together. A really good, smart pairing, enjoyed watching them at work. Randall also did well, particularly for 25 mins second half

Folks judging Dalby after seeing him for 20 minutes. FFS 🤡🤡🤡

Meanwhile in Benidorm

It's also a case of fuck everyone else but my pockets from private landlords who can turf out families to make more money from immigrants.

Reckon he'd get more too, if the service was quicker and more regular. Desperately need someone better behind him though.

Our centre forward scored last night.

How can you read what I've just written and come to that conclusion? It may whip other people up but I'm telling you nobody is whipping me up. I've been talking about the use of HMO in Blackpool for absolutely ages. There's threads on here about it. I was part of the business group that got rid of the ones in the rainbow qtr that were housing crack addicts post covid. HMOs here are old news. I'm telling you now they are coming back and planning is being bypassed as a quick fix to find places for migrants to live in. Same as during covid they were a quick fix to fox social housing/sheltered accommodation. It took years to put that right for the sake of the local economy and businesses that rely on tourism not HMOs. It's exactly the same now. Me explaining this isn't me being whipped up. It's just an evaluation of what is happening. You say, your not saying its not happening, but you'll find in this very thread you questioning what I was saying and pretty much accusing me of embellishing the situation. I can see the change in the area as its happening and it's not for the better. Either for the local residents or businesses. It's great for landlords buying cheap properties and offering them out for HMOs though 👍 There's more coming in than leaving daily. So where else are they going to go? Hotels are full, it'll be HMOs next, which entails all kinds of rental properties and beyond. That's nothing to do with reform or Nigal Fucking Farage. It is happening. Right now.

I find it ironic that people who say you and others are being influenced by social media when you and others can see it with their own eyes. They then try to prove their point by posting stuff from……. social media.

Good post. You mentioned in an earlier post about Conway. It was arguably the only thing he “got wrong” all night and what happens… we go and get punished! All ifs and buts, but if he intercepts that pass, Gale is front of him and we’re away 4v3. Two nil instead of 1-1 wouldn’t have been unfair and arguably a just scoreline for what had gone on in the previous 80 mins. And as for our deflected goal @Leyther_Matt it was just one of our 20 efforts. We need to do better. But the least we deserved I think. I’m pretty sure it was Reading’s only shot on goal. Just typical of things at the moment that it flies in with a deflection over the keeper.

Good summary pal. Agree with the majority of that. There’s only the penultimate paragraph I disagree with you on. While you make the valid point that the subs didn’t make us better yesterday, we’d lost the initiative before the subs. Erhahon, Burstow and Randall were all tiring and were becoming less effective. It was right to replace them. The subs being less effective is a separate debate I think.

Opened the thread expecting to read he's out for the season or something, you little tinker! But, yeah, he's a good un!

Nah no one would be like those Pakistani folk and celebrate being from another country than the one they've emigrated to.

The delivery let us down massively last night. time after time we didn’t beat the first man, or hit it too long. Good strikers need decent balls into the box and that is what we are failing with at the moment. the flurry of late changes certainly made us worse. The midfield 2 were dominating and Randell and burscow worked tirelessly. if we were 2 or 3 up I get a few changes, but at 1-0 with 10 left you stick with what’s working, take your 3 points and then make changes to Saturdays squad. Play and win 1 game at a time - don’t need to try and be clever. overall we are moving the ball better and faster - but ultimately we aren’t converting that into goals so the end result is the same as last season.

I think it’s harsh folk jumping on yours and others opinions who are frustrated and concerned. You’re hardly writing us off for the season or giving up on us, just offering thoughts on why you are concerned, which after a relatively poor start, which none of us wanted or predicted, is not ridiculously misplaced. Going off his interview yesterday I suspect SS isn’t too far away from agreeing with you! But I’ll try and put the alternative case over to you which hopefully will allay your concerns, or at least give you some hope that the tide will turn soon. Going off your points, I don’t think it’s mentality, SS has gone big on trying to get rid of those who were frail and keep those he trusts. And the players he’s brought in all look like they have a bit more grit about them, in particular Erhahon and Simons, which will be required moving forward. These two and the other newbies are all still really fresh. It’s been a massive overhaul and while patience is understandably thin after last season, it’s not magically going to click into goals, results and performances. This will improve week by week, either with this squad or with a couple more additions. But there’s plenty in our play and approach to be positive about. New exiting players, new approach, looking comfortable with and without the ball, a good spine, some toughness about us that we’ve not had for years. Like you say, we’re almost a good team. It won’t take much to tip the scale into that coming to fruition.

SS needs to have a word with our wingers get the ball in the box stop going for glory and we will win this league.

I'd agree with this. We're not missing sitters, everything is a low percentage chance. But I'm not sure passing it around waiting for the perfect opportunity is the answer. It's the opposite for me, mix it up and get it in the box quicker. Burstow can win headers and the number 10 should be looking for loose balls.

The problem we have is each generation funds the last so as we hit Pension age it is money being paid in now that funds that. The link below shows the problem, number of people over 65 has doubled in last 40 years and is predicted to grow more. The number of younger people is predicted to drop. We simply have more older people and fewer younger ones who feel the burden of the increased cost of Pensions. The triple lock needs to go but it won’t as the % of older people grows it would be political suicide. Retirement age is 67 but at 60 prescriptions are free and in some areas of the uk you get free or cheap public transport . God knows what these cost, but why should a working bloke in his 60s who might have a decent income get free prescriptions ? Something needs to give. Speaking as someone who recently had their 60th bday ! https://ageing-better.org.uk/our-ageing-population-state-ageing-2023-4

Got to agree about the 2 in midfield excellent signings and will only get better we are close to being a really good side need a number 9/10 and a RB and then we will be fighting for automatic promotion. Lots to be positive about early days yet.

Think the main thing to come out of last night is the confirmation that we really do have some absolute bell ends for supposed fans, don't mean on here even though there are a few buy just been skimming the comments on the bwfc post on f.book wow. In real world I am looking forward to Saturday and seeing the mid 2 play. Erahon will be upto full speed in a couple games and wasn't last night the first game they have started together ?

Well put this and good reflection having had time to calm down after the disappointment. As has been said multiple times. If we had a real top player in the number 10 position, who can be the go to when the wingers are crowded out, we’d be flying.

My issue with Randall last night wasn’t that I thought he played particularly poorly, it was that he didn’t do more. More and more teams will take the same approach as Reading and have their centre mids flying out to full back to double up on our wingers. Everyone can see already that they’re our main threat and you’d be daft to leave your full back one on one with them. That should, and did last night, mean that there’s space in the middle and Randall becomes the spare man. It’s perfect for a proper no.10 to take advantage of the space left behind and cause havoc, but he never really did. It was probably a 6.5/10 performance but the opportunity was there for it to be an 8 or 9 out of 10. One thing he should get credit for is his work rate - there’s no lack of effort / running, he just needs to add more end product. He’s also the miles better option than McAtee, who I’m less convinced is actually a footballer with every minute he’s on the pitch.

Disappointing result, 3/4 of the game a fantastic watch. Not worthy of the meltdown IMO. Slightly better decision making up top and we stroll that. Plenty for Schumacher to learn. Who is apparently under pressure according to some on here 😆 Simons and Erhahon are going to be magnificent together this season. I liked GT, but we've absolutely rinsed Wrexham.

Our defensive frailty is once again an issue. If we can't keep clean sheets we are never getting out of this league, especially when we are fairly impotent at the other end.

If Saturday was two points dropped, then this was two points recklessly thrown away. One minute we’re 1-0 up and wondering how many we’re going to win by, the next we’re 1-1 and struggling to adapt to a raft of substitutions. Lessons to be learned to say the least.

I really don't think we are far off being a proper outfit. All the ducks are in a row. It'll happen.